I got a new haircut yesterday and I'm a huge fan...who knows if it will ever look like it did when I left the salon (The Premiere of Windsor, WI, ask for Shannon), but it's definately fun!

Please read this article to learn about the TRUTH and REALITY of the CPSIA's new law!

As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.

Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.

The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.

How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:

To the Parents of Young Students:
Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.

To the Avid Reader:
Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all.Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322

To the Lover of All Things Handmade:
Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.

To the Environmentalist:
Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.

To the Second-Hand Shopper:
Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.

To the Entrepreneur:
Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.

To the Antique Toy Collector:
Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html

To the American Economy:
Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.

To the Worldwide Economy:
Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.

If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html

And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react.

If anyone is looking for more info or ways to help, Etsy has put together a fantastic CPSIA Action Kit: http://www.etsy.com/storque/media/bunker/2009/01/CPSIA-Etsy-Resources.pdf

APPLE FRITTER RINGS
Diane Lapacek

Ingredients:
1 egg
1/2 c. milk
1 tsp. vegetable oil
1 c. all-purpose flour
2 T. sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
dash salt
5 large, tart apples (from Lapacek's Orchard whenever possible)
1 1/2 c. vegetable oil
1/4 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Beat egg, milk, and oil. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir into egg mixture until smooth (batter will be thick). Peel, core, and slice apples into 1/2-inch thick rings. In an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 375^. Dip apple rings into batter. Fry, a few at a time, until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Roll in sugar and cinnamon. Serve warm.

Yield: about 2 dozen

So, earlier in the week, Jared told me that the girls were having a sleepover at Grandma and Grandpa's and I needed to be ready to leave the house on Friday by 4pm. Needless to say, I was excited! We have been trying to have a 'kid free' night for quite awhile but between sickness and weather it has just not worked out. Also, it's always exciting when I don't have to plan a night out...who doesn't love that.

So, the girls were at the grandparent's house and Jared and I left at 4. I had no idea where we were going. Then I got one clue...a google map to an address in Horicon, WI. Still no name or more details though. About forty minutes later we pulled up to a beautiful bed and breakfast called the Honeybee Inn! How exciting! Bed and Breakfast's are so much fun and so relaxing.

I was not disappointed when we walked into a gorgeous Victorian house and then led to our beautifully, romantic room. Feather bed and jacuzzi...does it get any better?!

We then went to a really nice dinner at a good old Wisconsin Country Club just a few blocks away (we drove...it was still below zero and absolutely FREEZING). We enjoyed a wonderful fish buffet with delicious salad and a great waitress. Then we headed back to the B&B and Jared pulled out some champagne and chocolate covered strawberries (that he made for us) and we relaxed...watched a few movies...relaxed....and had no crying kids. Absolutely fabulous!

In the morning we headed downstairs for an absolutely DELICIOUS breakfast of a baked apple, stuffed french toast, great potatoes, and sausage. To drink, we were given our choice of three juices (we chose orange), and the option of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate (we each enjoyed a mug of hot chocolate).

What a perfect surprise!

I'm going to try to start to write about each of the different varieties of apples that we grow on our orchard. This way you can continue to learn about them and know which one's you want to try before apple season is even here! I was going to call it "apple of the week" but I've tried that before and it just doesn't work for me!

Here's your first lesson!

Paulared

From wikepedia
Paula Red apples are bright red with some yellow and tan spots; the skin often has a dusty sheen. They have a sprightly taste, not too sweet and not too tart, vinous and slightly reminiscent of strawberries. It has a firm white flesh that becomes soft and mealy extremely quickly as its season declines. Paula Red apples are suitable for both eating fresh and cooking, although they become extremely soft when cooked, which suits them to some dishes (applesauce) and not others (pies).

History
Paula Red apples were discovered around 1960 by grower Lewis Arends near a McIntosh block in his orchard in Ravine Sparta Township, Kent County, Michigan. He named the apple after his wife, Pauline. Paula Reds appeared on the market as a distinct cultivar in 1968.[1]

from Lapacek's Orchard
Paulareds typically ripen at our orchard in Poynette, WI, August 15th. It is a WONDERFUL early apple. When it is there season they are a bit tart and crisp. If you want to make beautiful pink sauce - Use Paulareds (leave there skins on for the cooking down process, then strain them out).

Unfortunately Paulareds are NOT a good keeper. By the end of August/September they are starting to get soft and sweet. I personally like them when they first get sweet but aren't too soft yet. Please remember that if you like Paula's to get to our store in August!

My friend Kaitra (also Capri's godmother) was just here for a visit. She gave the girls' a super neat toy called 'FUN-WITH-FRUIT, Realistic fruit you can slice an dpeel!) from http://www.smallworldtoys.com/. It has fruit that stays together with velcro and then you take the nice (a bit creepy how realistic the knife actually looks) to cut the fruit the part. You can also peel the banana and the orange! So far, the girls have just loved it!

On the back of the box the toys came it there are some fun fruit facts that I thought I would share with you!

-There are about 7,500 known varieties of apples grown in the world
-Bananas are one of the most popular fruits and are rich in Vitamin C, fiber and potassium
-Encourage fresh fruit over fruit juices, which can be high in added sugar and corn syrup

Also, there is a nice summary of the food groups on the back. It's nice to be reminded of these every once in awhile:

6-11 servings of grain for carbohydrates and vitamin B
3 servings of fruit for vitamins and minerals (apples fit in wonderfully here!)
3 servings of vegetables for fiber
2 servings of dairy for calcium
2 servings of meat, fish, poultry, eggs or nuts for protein
use fats, oils and sweets sparingly

Jared sits down when he brushes his teeth every night and he didn't think it was strange. So, in order to proove my point that it was strange I posted a poll on the blog to see how many people did the same. Final results are in, 20 people stand while brushing there teeth, 2 people sit. Jared still won't admit that this is an odd thing to do.

Happy New Year Everyone! Just wanted to stop by and wish you all good cheer for the New Year! We're looking forward to another fun apple season in 2009.